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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Homosexuality

Early Christians taught that same-sex sex was sinful and outside God’s design. Clement of Alexandria, Athenagoras, Theophilus, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Lactantius, and the Apostolic Constitutions all speak against male same-sex acts, often linking them to Sodom, lust, or what is contrary to nature. The clearest Bible passages in this set are Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, and Jude 1:7.

The witness is broad across the 1st to 3rd centuries, and it is not limited to one author or one region. Some other passages are indirect, repetitive, or about wider sexual sin, but the main teaching is consistent.

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Open the best tools and THF resources before the full reference list.

Key Passages

Jump into the first references before scanning the full Scripture map.

How to Study Homosexuality

A tighter path from the primary text into context and application.

Start with the clearest command or anchor text Read the primary passage in context before building doctrine from supporting references.
Trace the apostolic pattern Compare how the apostles preached, practiced, warned, and applied this topic in the churches.
Connect to witness and formation Use early Christian sources, courses, lessons, and discussion questions only after the Bible map is clear.
Continue with connected study Use the attached Bible reader, cross-reference, original-language, and THF resource links to keep studying the topic in context.

Scripture Map

Grouped passages make the topic easier to scan, compare, and teach.

16 references

Foundation Texts

Jude 1:7 primary

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Direct Jude passage on Sodom and unnatural desire.

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Clear Romans 1 passage about men with men.

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Direct list including homosexuals and sodomites.

Supporting Passages

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Romans 1:26 supports the same passage cluster.

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Lists sodomites among unlawful behaviors.

And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Direct Leviticus command against male same-sex sex.

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Direct Leviticus penalty text used in this topic.

Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.